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The Memphis Grizzlies received good news Monday after categorizing Ja Morant as week-to-week with a shoulder injury, but can they survive a tough 10-game stretch ahead?
The next two weeks could be critical in the team’s eventual playoff seeding.
Unfortunately, it’s not only Morant scheduled to miss time, but several key bench players that could miss most of the gauntlet. It’s not out of the equation that Memphis could be an underdog in 10 straight.
Let’s take a look at each game, and the pathway to finding some wins:
The “need to get one” games
Three games fit firmly in the “getable” category here based on the overall talent level or state of the opponent.
They are as follows:
Friday, Jan. 3, at Sacramento
The Kings, rich with offensive firepower, are not off to the start that they expected, just 14-19. As a result, Sacramento fired head coach Mike Brown last week.
Maybe the change will give them a spark, but they can’t completely escape the turmoil. Kings star De’Aaron Fox recently took to social media to fight public perception about his desire to have a new coach in charge.
It’s hard to imagine Sacramento completely shutting down the Memphis attack, and the Grizzlies already won a game against Sacramento earlier this season despite poor performances from some of their stars.
Based solely on record, the Kings would be the easiest opponent for the Grizzlies during this gauntlet, but that seems to be a bit of an illusion.
Saturday, Jan. 4, at Golden State
The Warriors could be out for blood following an embarrassing loss to Memphis the last time the two teams met.
Still, Golden State is struggling to find any sort of serious momentum.
The Warriors have lost seven of their last nine games, failing to find the offensive juice against good defensive teams. If Memphis can keep Curry contained, an area of success this season it can keep the game competitive.
Monday, Jan. 6, vs. Dallas
Dallas’ Luka Doncic is going to miss at least a month with a calf strain, so the Grizzlies will dodge a superstar here.
The Mavericks are 1-7 all-time against Memphis without Doncic available, although they are deeper now than previous meetings.
Dallas will also enter this game off two full days of rest and after Memphis returns from a long 10-day road trip. Still, the Grizzlies have been excellent at home this season and should have the firepower to be competitive.
The firmly winnable games
One of these opponents isn’t the same as the others. It’s the San Antonio Spurs, 16-16 on the season. The two-game road set will be important to staying afloat.
Wednesday, Jan. 15, and Friday, Jan. 17, at San Antonio
Will the Grizzlies have more reinforcements by the time?
With Santi Aldama and Morant week-to-week, the chance they could play in these games is not zero. This also comes at the front end of potential return windows for Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson.
San Antonio will always be capable if superstar Victor Wembanyama is on the court, but they aren’t a power the same level of Oklahoma City or Dallas.
The Grizzlies are 3-1 vs. Wembanyama so far, with their only loss coming in a game which none of the big three — Morant, Desmond Bane or Jaren Jackson Jr. — was available.
Monday, Jan. 20, vs. Minnesota
The Timberwolves have not been the same since trading away Karl-Anthony Towns during the offseason.
This is the last game over the difficult 10-game stretch, therefore the most likely game for Morant, Aldama and others to be available.
The Grizzlies will also enter this matchup off two days of rest while Minnesota will be playing its third game in four days.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day crowd should give Memphis an additional boost, and its national television status will hopefully be a motivating factor.
Definite challenges
These games will be tough. Can Memphis find a way to steal one?
Tuesday, Dec. 31, at Phoenix
One thing is clear: This will not be a game where the Grizzlies get some reinforcements back.
Morant, Aldama, Marcus Smart, Jake LaRavia, Brandon Clarke and rookie Zach Edey are already ruled out.
Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is listed as questionable, but Memphis is still a 5-point underdog.
The Suns have lost five of their last six, but this feels like a home game for a talented team to finally get right.
Saturday, Jan. 11, at Minnesota
Memphis will still be missing several pieces in this game and the Timberwolves have been solid (9-6) at home this season.
Without the full arsenal of offensive weapons, this will be a tough test against a Minnesota defense that ranks top six in the NBA.
Thursday, Jan. 9, vs. Houston and Monday, Jan. 13, at Houston
These games are tough simply because Houston is good. The Rockets rank top 10 in the NBA in both offense and defense.
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